Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
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- See also Chevrolet Blazer (disambiguation)
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The Chevrolet Blazer (4WD model T-10) and the similar GMC S-15 Jimmy (4WD model T-15) were mid-size SUVs from General Motors. Production began alongside the larger K5 Blazer and Jimmy in 1983 and lasted through 2005. In the United States retail sales after 2001 were limited to two-door Blazer models, all other models being sold to fleets, until April 20, 2005. Retail sales of the (two-door) Jimmy were limited to the Canadian market after 2001.
The S-series SUVs, so named because they were based on the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15 pickup trucks, were produced in Pontiac, Michigan, Linden, New Jersey, Moraine, Ohio, Shreveport, Louisiana, Toluca, Mexico and São Paulo, Brazil (the Brazilian version is based on the second-generation S-series; even though production ceased in the U.S., new Blazers are locally produced in Brazil with their own sheetmetal stampings). In North America, the Moraine plant produced only 4-door vehicles, with both 2 and 4 door models being produced at Linden, which was the main assembly plant after the switch (Some time after 1985) from Pontiac, Michigan, which is now a fullsize truck plant.
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[edit] 1983
- See also GMC Typhoon and Oldsmobile Bravada.
Upon the introduction of the S-10 pickup truck in 1982 to replace the Isuzu-based Chevrolet LUV, the S-10 Blazer was introduced for the 1983 model year, along with the GMC S-15 Jimmy.
Styling cues were based on the first generation K5 Blazer and Jimmy (such as the angled C-pillars and lift glass panel); the S-series Blazer and Jimmy did not feature removable hardtops like their full-size counterparts.
Notably, the new, smaller Blazer and Jimmy were only offered in a two-door bodystyle, like their larger antecedents.
Base power was provided by GM's 2.0 L OHV four-cylinder engine, producing a meager 83 hp. A 2.8 L, 110 hp V6 was offered as an option (coincidentally this engine was also used in archrival Jeep's Cherokee until 1987).
Due to emissions laws, a 1.9 litre I4 petrol built by Isuzu was offered as the base model engine in California in place of the 2.0 litre engine. whilst an Isuzu-sourced 2.2 litre diesel engine (also used in the S-series pickups) producing 58 hp was offered as an option.
The 1.9 , 2.0 and 2.2 litre diesel were dropped after 1985, replaced by the larger 2.5 litre engine. The V6 was refitted with a throttle-body fuel injection system for 1986, in order to improve performance and fuel economy.
Jeep replaced the Cherokee's 2.8 V6 with a new, more powerful 4.0 , 173 hp I6 in 1987. To keep competitive the Blazer and Jimmy received a new 4.3 L V6 option in 1988, based off of the ubiquitous Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engine, producing a respectable 150 hp. Power output was increased to 160 hp in 1989.
In March 1990, 4-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy were introduced; the 4-door had a 6.5in longer wheelbase (2-doors had a 100.5 in wheelbase - six inches longer than the Ford Bronco II) and a one-piece front grille with a painted black insert (1990 2-door S-10 Blazers and Jimmys had the 3-piece grille). This came just months ahead of the introduction of the Ford Explorer, which replaced the Bronco II; six-and-a-half years after the segment-leading Cherokee debuted with four doors. Snowflake alloy wheels (similar to the ones used on the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari) were introduced, either painted charcoal gray or argent silver.
The upscale Oldsmobile Bravada appeared the next year. Although the first generation S-series Blazer and Jimmy were initially sold as 2-doors upon its original introduction, an episode of Motor Trend TV (c. 1991) stated that the thumbs up was for the introduction of the new bodystyle, and the thumbs down was that the 4-door bodystyle was based on the first generation model, which was in the process of a makeover.
1992 models were similar to 1991s - the only way to tell the difference is the rear back glass (the rear glass does not have any trim to which two black buttons serve as the back glass strut mounting points) and front grille (chrome shell with argent silver inserts). The interior was a carryover from 1991 with the exception of the center console and steering wheel (X-bar style similar to the one used in the GMT400 trucks).
1993 had a few changes - the center console was raised, and the 4L60-E tranny replaced the 4L60. The grille (alongside the S-10 pickup) was revised (which was a chrome-plated version of the base work truck grille found on base S-10 pickups), along with the addition of optional 5-spoke alloy rims (for the 2WD model - basically a copy of the 3rd generation Camaro Z28 15" alloy rim).
Although the second generation S-series debuted in 1994, the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy continued unchanged in 1994, based on the first generation S-series (with the addition of a third brake light - the high-mounted rear spoiler was discontinued).
All 4-door S10 Blazers and Jimmies came with anti-lock brakes as standard equipment; unlike the 2-door model, only two 4.3 L engines were optioned - the base TBI and the CPI (introduced in 1992 for the S-series and Chevrolet Astro vans; these engines had the "Vortec" logo on the intake plenum). Some consider the CPI as the ancestor of the Vortec engine later introduced in 1996.
Engines:
- 1983-1984 - 2.0 L OHV I4, 2-barrel carbureted, 83 hp (62 kW)/108 ft·lbff (146 N·m)
- 1983-1985 - 1.9 L Isuzu I4, 2-barrel carbureted, 84 hp (63 kW)/101 ft·lbff (137 N·m) (California)
- 1983-1985 - 2.2 L diesel I4, 58 hp (43 kW)/93 ft·lbff (126 N·m)
- 1983-1985 - 2.8 L LR2 V6, 2-barrel carbureted, 110 hp (82 kW)/148 ft·lbff (201 N·m) (VIN B)
- 1985-1989 - 2.5 L Tech IV I4, TBI, 92 hp (69 kW)/132 ft·lbff (179 N·m) (VIN E)
- 1986-1993 - 2.8 L LL1 V6, TBI, 125 hp (93 kW)/150 ft·lbff (203 N·m) (VIN R)
- 1988 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, TBI, 150 hp (112 kW)/230 ft·lbff (312 N·m) (VIN Z)
- 1989-1992 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, TBI, 160 hp (119 kW)/230 ft·lbff (312 N·m) (VIN Z)
- 1990-1993 - 2.5 L Tech IV I4, TBI, 105 hp (78 kW)/135 ft·lbff (183 N·m) (VIN A)
- 1992-1993 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CPFI, 195 hp (145 kW)/260 ft·lbff (353 N·m) (VIN W/Z)
- 1994 - 2.2 L L43 I4, MPFI, 118 hp (88 kW)/130 ft·lbff (176 N·m) (VIN 4)
- 1994 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CMFI, 195 hp (145 kW)/260 ft·lbff (353 N·m) (VIN W/Z)
[edit] 1995
- See also GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada
1995 was the introduction of an all-new Blazer. This time, it lost the S-10 prefix and became its own model based on the second generation S-10/Sonoma pickups introduced a year earlier (the K1500 Blazer was rebadged as the Chevrolet Tahoe. Upon introduction of the 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the GMC Envoy, production continued after their successors came to the market, with the Jimmy only being sold in Canada and in the 2005 model year, 4-door models sold to vehicle fleets.
The Blazer was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1995.
Another upscale model was the 1998 GMC Envoy. It used the same engines and had many of the same upgrades as the Bravada.
In 1999, Chevrolet introduced a limited edition 'TrailBlazer' appearance package that was available as an upgrade to the LS and LT trims. The package featured gold-accented alloy rims and trim along with several interior/exterior modifications and upgrades. This package was marketed until the introduction of the GMT360 series for the 2002 model year.
At the same time, a Blazer Xtreme (only on the 2-door model) was added to the lineup, based on the S10 Xtreme.
This generation was phased out in 2001 to make way for the new GMT360 models such as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the GMC Envoy. However, production of the Blazer and Jimmy continued until April 20, 2005, in Linden, New Jersey, despite slow sales, and the plant located there then closed. A white Chevrolet Blazer became the last of the series, and the last vehicle produced in New Jersey. Although production ceased, the second generation bodystyle is still being produced in Brazil.
Engines:
- 1995-1998 - 2.2 L L43 I4, MPFI, 118 hp (88 kW)/130 ft·lbff (176 N·m) (VIN 4)
- 1995 - 4.3 L LB4 V6, TBI, 155 hp (116 kW)/235 ft·lbff (319 N·m) (VIN Z)
- 1995 - 4.3 L L35 V6, CMFI, 191 hp (142 kW)/260 ft·lbff (353 N·m) (VIN W)
- 1996-1998 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CSFI, 175 hp (130 kW)/240 ft·lbff (325 N·m) (VIN W)
- 1996-1999 - 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6, CSFI, 180 hp (134 kW)/245 ft·lbff (332 N·m) (VIN X)
- 1999 - 2.2 L L43 I4, SFI, 120 hp (89 kW)/140 ft·lbff (190 N·m) (VIN 4)
[edit] Trouble spots
As usual with other GM products - the S-series Blazer and Jimmy (alongside the S10 and Sonoma pickups) came from the factory with welded door hinges to which the door hinge pin bushings usually gouge themselves out, necesitating an overhaul with new hinge pins and bushings. Also, the exterior lift-bar door handles on the first generation models are often replaced in response to its factory piano-wire spring mechanism and/or door handle splintering (the factory potmetal weakens with age, along with its ABS plastic base which bolts to the doorskin). First generation exterior door handles interchange with 1980-90 GM B-bodies (Chevrolet Caprice, Chevrolet Impala, Buick LeSabre) although some S-series came with black handles.
Much like the S-10 pickup - the door shells would usually experience broken spot welds (especially the driver side door assembly) to which panel replacement is considered a usual gremlin.
The interior door handle is a usual gremlin where the internal spring would snap - replacement door handle springs are usually sold over the counter from the local auto parts store.
Late 1980s - present GMs usually suffer from paint peeling - the factory clearcoat usually peels since water-based solvents (non-VOCs) have been commonplace within the auto industry.
The rear tailgate handle (also used on the 1978-83 GM A-body/G-body station wagons) is another trouble spot to which the potmetal piece would break (or in the worst case - the lock can seize. This was documented in a second season episode of MTV's Pimp My Ride where an S10 Blazer's rear tailgate handle was opened using a flat-blade screwdriver). GM (and the aftermarket) usually sell a replacement handle which are uncoded (a locksmith can recode the lock assembly for use with an existing key blank).
Regarding the powertrain - early S-series Blazers/Jimmies with the factory 2.8 L can benefit from swapping the 2.8 L for a 3.4 L or replacing it with a 4.3 L from 1988 and later (the 4.3 L is based on the Chevrolet small block motor). The 2.8 L, especially the early models, were known to leak oil from the rear main seal until the 4.3 L was introduced. This also holds true for the THM700R4/4L60 transmissions used in the early 1982-86 S-series - the 1987-present cores are usually swapped in as replacements.
Some owners claim that the 4.3 L would go beyond 200,000 miles before an overhaul, along with the 4L60 transmission (the 4L60 used with the 4.3 L also serves as a foundation for a Chevrolet small block V8 swap). A late-model LS1 or LS2 will fit inside the S-series engine bay using the swap hardware available from aftermarket sources.
[edit] External links
www.v8s10.org www.s-series.org
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